CCE · Secondary 3 · Social Cohesion and Diversity · Semester 2

The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act

Examining the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and the secular nature of the state.

• MOE Syllabus Outcomes
• MOE: Social Cohesion and Harmony - S3
• MOE: National Identity - S3

About This Topic

Addressing Inequality focuses on the ethics of meritocracy and the government's role in promoting social mobility. This topic explores the idea that while meritocracy rewards hard work and talent, it can also lead to widening gaps if people start from very different positions. Students will analyze policies like SkillsFuture, Progressive Wage Model, and ComCare that aim to 'level the playing field.'

Connecting to MOE's Social Cohesion and Active Citizenship standards, this unit encourages students to think about fairness and compassion. They will discuss the responsibility of the successful to help the vulnerable and the role of education as a social elevator. For Secondary 3 students, this is a timely topic as they begin to make choices about their own future paths.

This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of 'starting line' advantages through a simulation that demonstrates how unequal resources affect outcomes over time.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the government's role in regulating religious speech and practices.
2. Evaluate how a secular state can remain fair to all religious groups.
3. Predict when a religious practice might become a matter of public concern requiring legal intervention.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the legal framework established by the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act concerning religious speech and practices.
• Evaluate the principles and mechanisms through which a secular state can ensure fairness and impartiality towards diverse religious communities.
• Predict potential scenarios where specific religious practices or expressions might necessitate government intervention based on public order or national security concerns.
• Explain the rationale behind Singapore's approach to religious harmony as a cornerstone of social cohesion.

Before You Start

Understanding of Singapore's Multicultural Society

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of Singapore's diverse ethnic and religious landscape to grasp the importance of religious harmony.

Introduction to Government and Law

Why: Prior knowledge of the basic functions of government and the existence of laws is necessary to understand the role of legislation like the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act.

Key Vocabulary

Religious Harmony	A state of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among different religious groups within a society, fostered through understanding and tolerance.
Secular State	A state that is officially neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any religion, and ensuring equal treatment for all.
Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act	A Singaporean law enacted to preserve religious harmony by prohibiting actions that incite enmity, hatred, or ill will between religious groups.
Public Order	The condition of a community or society in which its members are able to live without fear of disorder, violence, or disruption.
Religious Practice	The observance of rituals, customs, or beliefs associated with a particular religion, which may include public expressions or community gatherings.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Meritocracy means that everyone who is poor just didn't work hard enough.

What to Teach Instead

Many factors, including family background and health, can affect a person's ability to succeed. A 'life-circumstance' role play helps students develop empathy and understand that 'merit' is easier to achieve when you have a stable foundation.

Common Misconception

Inequality is only about how much money you have.

What to Teach Instead

Inequality can also be about access to networks, digital tools, and educational opportunities. A 'resource-mapping' activity helps students see the different dimensions of inequality beyond just a bank balance.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Paper Plane Race

Students must build a paper plane to 'win' a race. Some groups get high-quality paper and instructions, while others get scraps and no help. After the race, they discuss how 'merit' (the best plane) was affected by the 'starting resources.'

40 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: Social Mobility Tools

Groups research one Singaporean policy designed to help low-income families (e.g., KidSTART, UPLIFT). They create a 'pathway map' showing how this policy helps a child or worker move up the social ladder.

45 min·Small Groups

Formal Debate: The Cost of Equality

Students debate whether the government should tax the wealthy more to provide more support for the poor. They must consider the impact on motivation and economic growth versus the need for social stability and fairness.

50 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• Community mediators and religious counselors work with individuals and groups to resolve interfaith misunderstandings before they escalate, often referencing principles of mutual respect and understanding.
• Government officials in Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth engage with religious leaders to ensure adherence to laws that promote social cohesion and prevent religious extremism.
• Interfaith dialogue sessions, organized by organizations like the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) Singapore, provide platforms for members of different faiths to learn about each other's beliefs and practices, fostering empathy and reducing prejudice.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine a new religious group emerges that advocates for practices seen as disruptive to public order. How would the principles of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act guide the government's response?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to reference specific aspects of the Act and the concept of a secular state.

Quick Check

Present students with three short scenarios: (1) A public sermon that criticizes other religions. (2) A religious festival that causes significant traffic disruption. (3) A private religious gathering in a home. Ask students to write one sentence for each scenario explaining whether it might require intervention under the Act and why, referencing the balance between religious freedom and public order.

Exit Ticket

On a slip of paper, ask students to define 'secular state' in their own words and provide one example of how a secular government can support religious freedom while maintaining social harmony.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'Meritocracy' in the Singapore context?

It is a system where people are rewarded based on their own abilities and effort, rather than their race, religion, or family background. The goal is to ensure that the most capable people are in the right roles to help the nation succeed.

How does the 'Progressive Wage Model' (PWM) work?

The PWM is a 'ladder' for workers in specific sectors (like cleaning or security). it links wage increases to improvements in skills and productivity. This ensures that as workers become more skilled, their pay increases in a sustainable way, helping to reduce income inequality.

How can active learning help students understand inequality?

Active learning, like the 'Paper Plane Race,' provides a safe way to experience the frustration of unfairness. It moves the conversation from abstract statistics to personal feelings. This emotional connection is crucial for developing the 'heart' for social justice and understanding why government intervention is necessary to support meritocracy.

What is 'Social Mobility'?

Social mobility is the ability of individuals or families to move up into a higher social or economic class. In Singapore, education has traditionally been the main 'elevator' for social mobility, allowing children from humble backgrounds to achieve success through their own hard work.

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